Frostburg in Allegany County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Coal Mining

Photographed by F. Robby, July 29, 2016

1. Coal Mining Marker

Inscription. Bituminous coal had been discovered in what is now Allegany County before the French and Indian War. Although farmers worked small individual diggings prior to the Nineteenth Century, it would not be until about 1820 that coal obtained some degree of commercial importance. This early 1900s postcard view, with the year 1908 engraved above the cement portal mine opening, is of a Frostburg area coal mine at Carlos Junction. Early coal mining was done by pick and shovel. As depicted here, horses and mules pulled the hand loaded trams or wagons from the mines to the railroad for shipment east. In 1906 Maryland would reach a record high of 6,436 miners, with coal production reaching 5.5 million tons the following year. Among the nation's largest producers of bituminous coal was Frostburg's famous Consolidation Coal Company.

It was Consolidation's Frostburg area coal mines and Maryland steam coal that supplies the Cunard Steamship Line, and was also the preferred coal of the United States Navy because of its "smokeless" qualities. Consolidation coal was shipped worldwide and in 1898 Frostburg area mines also provided the blacksmithing coal for the Klondike gold fields of the Canadian Yukon.

[text with the postcard image] From the collection of Albert and Angela Feldstein.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1820.

Location. 39° 39.555′ N, 78° 55.306′ W. Marker is in Frostburg, Maryland, in Allegany County. It is on New Hope Road 0.2 miles north of Depot Stret, on the right when traveling north. Marker is near the parking area for the Great Allegheny Passage trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Frostburg MD 21532, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Western

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Maryland.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Frostburg (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Frostburg (a few steps from this marker); The Cumberland and Pennsylvania Railroad (within shouting distance of this marker); The National Road (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Cumberland and Pennsylvania Railroad Depot (about 800 feet away); The Naming of Frostburg (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. Michael's Parish Hall (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Braddock Stone (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Frostburg.

Photographed by F. Robby, July 29, 2016

2. Coal Mining Marker

The access trail between the C&P Depot and the Great Allegheny Passage is in the background.

National Park Service, Thomas Stone National Historic Site, June 17, 2019

3. Coal Mining Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 12, 2019. It was originally submitted on August 1, 2016, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,283 times since then and 68 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 1, 2016, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. 3. submitted on August 5, 2019.